Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 121: Letters

The next morning, at the Rio inn, time had only passed by 8.

Rio had just finished breakfast in a strange situation where two maids were waiting by his side. Private meals were limited due to the recent chaos, but the castle still allowed it in some of these conditions.

「Haruto-sama, should I prepare tea for you?」

「Ya, please do. 」

Then, as the maid who was closer to his age took him, the sound of knocking on the door echoed throughout the room, and he immediately went to answer her.

「Good morning, Haruto-sama. 」

Charlotte's coming.

「Princess Charlotte. What do you need?"

Rio returned the greeting, but he remained astonished. They were going to have a tea party in Charlotte's room, so she didn't know why she would come to him.

「You promised to talk to me this morning, right? It's a little early, but I came to see you. 」

Charlotte replied with a charming smile.

Rio checked the clock that was attached to the wall. The conversation was supposed to happen at 9. He's about an hour early.

It was not that he did not understand coming early due to the sheer scale of the castle, but this was still …

Well, even if he voiced that thought to her, it would enter one ear and out the other.

"I saw . I'm sorry to get you through trouble. 」

「Fufu, I came because I wanted to see you. Please don't mind that. But if it's okay with you, will you come with me to Satsuki-sama? 」

"Of course . There was a place I wanted to go near her room. Do you mind if we give you something before that? 」

"Not everything . 」

Charlotte adheres to it sweetly.

「Then, if you please wait a moment for me to prepare. 」

After making a request, Rio picked up the three letters he had left in his luggage box the night before.

☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

The two of them walked through the castle in quick steps.

「Fufu ~」

Charlotte grinned at herself, holding Rio's arm comfortably. Instead, Rio was already mentally exhausted.

「Charlotte-sama, sticking very close to me like this little ..」

「Is it unpleasant?」

He asked directly, looking at Rio with his eyes turned upside down.

「It's not fun, but about the people around us ..」

「Then there was no problem, huh? I don't care about things like that. 」

「I guess, if you're okay with that ..」

He managed to smile to answer hers, but he punched***** in his lungs. Of course, Charlotte seemed lovingly embracing Rio, but there was something strange about it. Some indication that she was an innocent young girl acting spoiled.

But he's not going to put down his guard yet. Regardless of her age, Charlotte still remains royalty. Young blueblood birds are known to be mentally unstable, and they have a tendency to become overbearing with the power given to them.

Their overly conspicuous behavior and attitude towards the people below them, felt that it was completely natural, she said, and frown when things don't go their way — although the last thing is still a bit funny.

The problem was that when it turned into a rampage, it was like walking through a minefield. People began to hold grudges and ruthlessly harassed their anger issues.

And the most troublesome problem is the opposite sex. The ladies. Rio learned from his experience while still studying at the Bertram Kingdom royal academy.

Charlotte is 13 years old, just when her emotional period should be at its peak.

He could not act recklessly towards such a girl whose nature he still did not understand. It would be hard to stay in the castle if he caused — disturbances basically, he would not risk insulting the nobility.

He also had to consider why Charlotte remained so close to him.

By order of King Francois they were together. Rio knew he had to remain cautious around the king at least.

After all, it was impossible for him to think about using Rio to his own advantage, seeing how close he was to Satsuki and how close he was to his friends.

Even if Charlotte herself was not aware of her goal, the chances of her receiving an order with that goal in mind were not zero.

And if that's true, it just makes things even more awkward for him.

「Do you have business with Takahisa-sama?」

"No . Instead, it was with the three people who were under my protection. 」

"Is that so? Miharu-sama is a beautiful girl. 」

「Ya .. Dia. 」

He kept his feelings from being seen, but Rio felt strange as he nodded in agreement obediently, and Charlotte watched his reaction with satisfaction.

Their conversation ended when they finally got to Miharu's room and the others stayed over.

They didn't see any escort knights around, though.

Are they out now?

He wondered about it for a moment, then put it out of his mind as he took a deep breath.

Tap, tap.

"Stupid! Onii-chan pervert! You have no taste of delicacy! 』

The sound of knocking was drowned out by a sound similar to Aki in the room.

『T-Wait a minute, Aki! Forgive me! So very sorry! I'm not trying to peek, honestly! I mean, M-Masato was there, right? I'm just looking for Masato! That's all!"

『If you want Masato, he is out looking around the castle because we have free time! Geez! 』

The commotion was loud enough for them to hear most of it.

「It looks like we came at the wrong time. 」

Charlotte stared at the door stupidly.

「It seems so. Still, let's try it again. 」

Rio realized they should have read the room and left his affairs later, but he smiled wryly and added additional strength to his knuckles. Every chance that presented itself, he would take it.

『Ah — my apology. Please wait a moment . 』

Answers are coming soon.

『You have a guest, Takahisa-sama. Maybe Haruto-sama. 』

『Understood. Soon . Aki, please wait. Let's talk again when you've calmed down. 』

He did not know exactly what was happening inside the room, but it was already quite clear that Takahisa seemed to be fueling Aki's anger.

The door hurriedly opened about ten seconds later.

On the other side is Takahisa, along with the knights Kiara and Alice.

「Thank you so much for waiting. We are rather busy just ... now .. 」

Takahisa awkwardly uttered a greeting, and his eyes widened when he saw Charlotte happily connecting his arm with Rio's hand.

「Good morning, Takahisa-sama. 」

「Y-Yes. Good morning, Princess Charlotte. 」

In response to Takahisa's fear, Rio joined his normal poker face.

「I'm sorry for bothering you when you're busy. This is earlier than expected, but may I ask if I can meet Miharu-san? 」

「Um, let me think .. Masato took a walk, and it looks like he's coming with her. 」

"Yes nih . If it was Miharu-sama, she accompanied Masato-sama in his exploration of the castle. Hilda joined them as their companion. 」

Kiara completes Takahisa's poor explanation.

「Ahaha .. that's it. In fact, I just got back, and Aki is also here, but ... 」

And Takahisa finished with a narrow smile on his face.

「Only Aki-chan?」

She wrote a letter to Aki as well, but Rio felt that Miharu should be the first to accept them.

As far as she knew, Aki still hated Amakawa Haruto — she could only imagine what kind of reaction she would get after knowing about Rio's previous life. That's why she wanted Miharu to read hers before Masato and Aki.

Would it be alright if she let Aki read hers first?

Rio really could not predict that.

She was scared . That's all that's in there.

「They should return ... no later than half-nine. I mentioned yesterday that Masato wanted to check out the magical ship this morning. 」

"I saw…"

Rio sighed. No matter how much he tried, he always seemed to miss the right time for things.

Her freedom was cut off during her stay in the castle, and Miharu was staying in a different room.

But the biggest reason for that might be — no, the culprit was definitely standing right beside him, and Rio glanced at him.

When she noticed his gaze, Charlotte gave him the same sweet smile she always did.

I missed Miharu-san last night because of this girl, and it happened again now.

He was almost driven to ignore their status and treat her coldly, barely managing to hold back.

No, maybe this is just the best case scenario. At least I managed to confess last night.

If he hadn't told Miharu about his feelings last night, he most likely wouldn't have had time today between Charlotte's mess and having a large group during the meeting they planned this afternoon. Besides Miharu, there are also Aki, Masato, Satsuki, Takahisa and Liliana.

There was no way he could confess in that situation.

He did not know if they could get time alone; he did not know how Aki would react; the discussion itself would probably not have the right atmosphere for him; and it is very possible that Miharu and the children made a decision before that. It might be easier to say goodbye.

「If Aki-sama is inside, this should be enough for Haruto-sama to finish his business, right? Takahisa-sama must be a busy person, too. 」

Charlotte cut in and urged Rio when he hesitated to speak.

「... Yes. 」

He agreed to her suggestion with a calm smile.

Doing what…

He thought of five options:

Trust Takahisa to send the letter alone.

Have her call Aki so she can receive the letters,

Stay as long as possible for Miharu and Masato to return.

Go look for Miharu and Masato by themselves as they take a walk in the castle.

Give them the letters in person when they will meet each other later on.

He honestly wanted them to read the letters as soon as possible. They might get confused when they read it, so he felt it was right for them to have time to process the contents.

The tea party he promised Charlotte and Satsuki would start at 9, and since it was already 8:30 they had to leave immediately to meet with Satsuki on time. Even if she and Charlotte wait until the last minute, there is no guarantee Miharu will go back in time.

Rio made a decision.

「... Takahisa-san, may I have you give them these letters?」

「I don't mind, but it's okay to at least call Aki, right?」

Saying so, Takahisa turned around to go inside. One of the three letters in question was still in the room, so he thought calling her might be a better choice.

"No . Wait a minute . 」

But Rio stopped him, and Takahisa looked back.

「There are three letters, but I wish Miharu-san to be the first to read them. Can you hand over their Masato and Aki-chan after that? 」

"… Yes I understand . 」

That's lies. She couldn't understand the meaning behind her explanation, but Takahisa nodded obediently when he saw the sad expression on Rio's face.

The recipient's name is written in Strahl regional language, and there is a sealing wax to keep anyone but the reader intended to open it.

「Salam, then. I will come visit again later with Satsuki-san. 」

「Yes. I will wait . 」

After Takahisa said goodbye, Rio turned to Charlotte.

「Charlotte-sama, I'm sorry to keep you waiting for the sake of my personal business. 」

「Not to worry, I'm fine with that. But we have to rush to pick up Satsuki-sama. We don't want to be late and have him come looking for us. 」

Charlotte quickly grabbed Rio's arm again, dragging him away with all the elegance and finesse of a bull in a Chinese shop.

☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

「That makes you wonder what's written in it, riiight? Maybe it's a love letter. 」

When Rio and Charlotte were no longer in sight, Alice jumped up with a bright and carefree tone. Takahisa, shocked by his voice, glanced at the letters in his hands, and his senior knight Kiara reprimanded him.

「Alice, that's a shame. 」

She usually had a calm and graceful aura about her, but there was a sharp edge to Kiara's words.

「Eh ~. Doesn't that make you nervous? 」

Does Yes, but we should not peek at someone's personal correspondence. 」

「Aha, so Kiara-senpai is also distracted by it. 」

「You sure know how to run your mouth. 」

「Ahaha ..」

Alice broke out in cold sweat from the pressure coming out from her senior, and quickly moved the subject.

「While so, Takahisa-sama seems to be worried as well. I'm positive, she must have fallen in love with her childhood friend, right? And if Liliana-sama enters the stage, we will see her turn into a forbidden love triangle …! 」

「Hey, that's why the saying ……

Kiara and Alice spoke at low volume, but it seemed that their small exchange did not even go into Takahisa's ears. He just stared at the letters without making a sound.

Then the door to the room with only Aki inside was opened.

Takahisa shook, reflexively trying to hide the letters in his chest pocket. However, rushing to hide them, the letters slipped out of his pocket and flew to the floor.

He swung his hand to grab it, hitting one into his stomach. He felt a bewildering crushing sensation, but he managed to catch the others.

The last one fell at Kiara's feet. In a panic to retrieve it, he dropped the two he had already taken.

「Ah — shit!」

Takahisa snatched the two that had just disappeared and gripped them tightly in his right hand. He tries to take the last letter with his left hand, but luckily Kiara has already caught it and avoiding it makes things worse.

「What are you doing, Onii-chan?」

That was when Aki came out to see him crouching with a suspicious expression on his face.

And Takahisa gasped for attention, hiding the letters behind without checking for damage.

「Oh, um, Aki, what's up?」

He knew he had offended her a few minutes ago, but right now he was more worried about her finding the letters she was holding.

"It's okay . It sounds like Haruto-san just came .. Did he say anything? 」

Aki replied with a little bluntness. He might still be angry.

"Ah yes . He's gone, but he said he'll come again with Satsuki-senpai this afternoon. 」

"I saw…"

It's bad . I promise, but if Aki sees this letter now …

Shocking his mind, Takahisa involuntarily started squeezing the letters in his hands. Tracing one with her fingers, she saw something peeling.

Right behind her, Kiara stiffened, while Alice stared at the letters with a dangerous 「ohh dangerously sneaking from her lips.

「By the way, did you take anything? You were on the ground a while ago. 」

「T-No, that's not true. 」

Takahisa denied it with a fake smile, his grip on the letters strengthened as he did so.

"Is that so…? You're not trying to hide anything, are you? 」

「That's the truth, I'm not hiding anything. 」

She answered Aki's peeping eyes with a shrill voice, taking her eyes off the guilt. He could feel the sweat drenching his body.

But then Aki's expression shifted as if she saw something, and she glared at him with flushed cheeks.

「You forgot what you saw earlier, right?」

「Previous …? Uh-"

Takahisa found the answer as soon as he repeated the question.

He had just returned to their room after escorting Liliana to meet the king. Since she was unable to find Miharu or her siblings in the living room, she heartlessly barged into Aki and Miharu's room.

And thus he testified of the disrespectful sight of his half-brother changing his clothes.

「T-Sure!」

He nodded with great enthusiasm.

「So, j-forget it already ..」

「Ahaha ..」

The sharpness of Aki's gaze grew with redness on her face, but she gave him a little free time knowing it was unintentional. Takahisa knows it's his fault for not knocking.

「It's not that I have an amazing body that I can show off, but there's no way I can defend you if Miharu-oneechan is here. 」

Unlike Aki and her chest that was so flat, the bra did no more harm than good, Miharu had a very developed femininity by betraying her petite posture.

「Uh ..」

Takahisa's speechless.

「Well, Miharu-oneechan will probably still let you go because she's so nice. 」

「A-I'm sorry. Be honest. Please forgive me . 」

He bowed repeatedly to show his sincerity.

「It's okay, I guess .. More than that, about Haruto-san. I will say it now because Miharu-oneechan and Masato are out. 」

Then Aki suddenly changed the subject.

In reality, he was the one who lured Masato out of the room, and convinced Miharu to follow him and make sure he didn't get into trouble.

He sighed, knowing he took a somewhat twisting method to get a private conversation with Takahisa.

「Y-Yes?」

Face stiffened.

「Yes, I .. It was just my own idea, but I thought it was okay for Haruto-san to come with us. If he does, Miharu-oneechan will come as well. 」

"I think so too . That's why I said the same thing to Haruto-san yesterday. 」

Takahisa replied with a nod, having reached the same conclusion.

「Eh? Did ya? When?"

「Last night, after everyone went to bed. 」

「I understand ... What did Haruto-san say?」

「He told me after the party last night that he had some sort of assignment west of Strahl. Do you know anything about that, Aki? 」

When he asked, Aki thought back.

"Not really . We lived in the same place for a long time, but he never told us much about himself or what he did .. Maybe he had something to take care of in Almond? 」

Aki's answer left a big question mark on Takahisa's face.

"Rame?"

「Yes. That's where we've lived until now. 」

「So that's where .. Although I can say he won't come to Saint Stella even after he finishes his business. He didn't say anything about what he should do, but I don't think it's anything bad. 」

「In that case, I think we can use that time to persuade Miharu-oneechan to join us. 」

Takahisa just stared in amazement.

"I understand . We can go there too, huh? You are brilliant, Aki .. 」

At least, because he was less flexible, he could not think about it.

「It's clear if you think for a while. You're just not creative, Onii-chan. You can hardly have the right conversation, right? You're lucky I'm helping you here. 」

"Yes you are right . 」

Immediately, Takahisa's cheeks loosened seeing Aki beaming proudly.

"Other things . If we do this, you have to make sure you win over Miharu-oneechan, you know. You can't remain a hopeless case forever. 」

「H-Delighted? What are you talking about? I mean, I, uh .. 」

His face glowed red, tripping over his own words. He tried to keep his crush a secret, and his little sister could tell easily. ******* Aki is gaining weight on her reaction, too.

「I know you love Miharu-oneechan, right, Onii-chan? You are like an open book. 」

「Eh? W-Why? 」

At this point, Takahisa wasn't even trying to hide his feelings.

By the way, they speak in Japanese.

Thanks to the heavenly attire that translated for her, Alice and Kiara listening from the side could understand Takahisa, but Aki did not have it, so eavesdropping was a little difficult.

「Why, You ask ... Anyone can find out if they only see you. You always try to be alone with Miharu-oneechan, but when you get a chance you avoid it. Then there are times where you are awkward and can't even look him in the eye. 」

Every point he listed was not on target.

Simply put, Takahisa is a coward. Sometimes he even acted cold when they were both alone.

「I ... Want how else. Such things would happen to any normal man. 」

Aki sighed deeper for her answer, then looked at her curiously.

「Are you not agitated? About Miharu-oneechan and Haruto-san. When they disappeared at the party yesterday. Wonder what they're talking about. 」

「It ..」

Takahisa was also worried about that. Inevitably she thought about what Rio and Miharu were talking about during the night party.

「I tried asking him, but ..」

「A-What did he say?」

She was shocked to hear Aki saying, because she did something that she could not do on her own.

「It doesn't matter. We interrupted them before they got into it .. 」

「Is ... Is That ..」

Takahisa breathed a sigh of relief as if he had been holding her back.

「Stay, don't you think both are acting suspicious?」

「No — ah, well ... how about you? Haruto-san, he seems like a good person. 」

Feeling like she was hit with a full question, Takahisa tried to avoid her with an unclear answer, and Aki knitted her brows hearing him.

「Haruto-san is a truly amazing man, you know. He's a bit clumsy, but he's gentle, cool, handsome, reliable, and he can cook too. And…"

After bringing Takahisa's nervousness to boiling point, Aki stopped with a gloom on her face as she thought of her next words. The figure of Amakawa Haruto, his former elder brother, came to my mind.

"And?"

Takahisa gulped his saliva when Aki hesitated.

"It's okay . Maybe Miharu-oneechan has someone she likes. If she forgets about him, she will probably like Haruto-san instead .. 」

From that, Takahisa looked like he had taken a few blows to the head from a blunt object, and his face lost color.

「Someone ... does he like? Miharu's? 」

"No . Well that is it . Maybe…"

「So, that's ..」

His spirit dropped bit by bit, then Aki started to comfort him as if she was preaching.

「T-But, maybe the man will never appear in front of Miharu-oneechan again. This is your chance, Onii-chan!

That's why you can't escape now! Sure, I am indebted to Haruto-san, but if you can't get between Miharu-oneechan and Haruto-san right now, all that's left is regret! 」

「Aki ..」

Takahisa trembled, then straightened himself out.

"… Correct . I'll try it. I have a little confidence now. Thank you . 」

"Yes! You can do this, Onii-chan! 」

Aki raised her fist high when Takahisa smiled at her. And that was when Kiara impatiently spoke.

「Takahisa-sama .. About that ..」

He was staring at the tangled letters behind his back.

「Eh?」

What does he mean by that?

He's distracted. But after looking into his eyes, he immediately realized that he was not in a position to hold a conversation.

「A-Ah .. true. Aki, can you go back to the room for a moment? I have to take care of something very quickly. 」

Takahisa's speaking in a hasty tone.

「OK, but ... you'll be right back, right?」

「Of course. 」

Convincing him, Aki left the hall. After she left, Alice pointed to the letters more directly.

「Um, what should we do? Those letters are ... 」

「Uh ..」

Takahisa froze as he glanced at the letters in his hand. The two were destroyed so badly that most of the sealing wax came apart.

「A-What should I do ..?」

She looked at Kiara as if she had an answer, and she replied anxiously.

「Bi-Let you ask me .. We have no choice but to return it as much as possible before we hand it over to Miharu-sama and the others, and explain the situation when we do. We should also not forget to apologize to Haruto-sama. 」

「It ... Yes, you are right. 」

「Please lend me. In this condition, the letter inside must have been tangled as well. Since the candle has already peeled off, let's take the letter off and smoothen it properly on the wall. 」

He wanted to do it indoors, but Aki was inside, and he could not ignore the duty of the guard as a knight. So he decided to take care of the things where they stood.

「... M-Please do. I'll help too. 」

「Alice, please help Takahisa-sama. 」

「Kay ~. Please letter, Takahisa-sama. 」

"Thank you . 」

After Kiara received the letter, Takahisa took the addressed to Aki from the envelope and handed it to Alice. As expected, the letter was messy as bad as an envelope.

「Please do your best not to rip it off and make it unreadable. 」

Mostly made up of them, Kiara was quick to lead and give them orders, and with careful dexterity they smoothed out the crumpled paper. It was kind of funny seeing the three of them clinging to the wall outside their room like this.

I wonder who this letter is for.

While pressing out the wrinkles of the envelope in her hand, Takahisa started thinking to himself.

Aki's name was written on the surface in Strahl Regional. Although the heavenly attire translated speech, he still could not read the language in this world.

To her left, Alice tidied up the letter, muttering softly.

「Mmm, I can't find any of these weird letters. 」

「H-Hey, Alice! I told you before that you don't need to peek at other people's private communications! 」

「Ehh, but it's facing me, so how else. Besides, I can't even understand any of this. What small country are these characters from? Shouldn't it be okay to just write in our common language? 」

Despite the murmuring, he still did his job.

「... You should do it from behind. I swear, this girl .. 」

Kiara continued her work as well, after voicing her dissatisfaction with her junior.

The language he called "common" was the language spoken by most countries in the Strahl region, referred to as the Regional Strahl.

However, other languages are not suppressed, so they can develop in parts of the region or in individual countries. Some even became national languages.

And his curiosity was shaken by the small quarrel of the knights, Takahisa peeked at the letter Alice was handling.

「It ... Japan ..」

Looking at the characters in the envelopes, Takahisa was convinced that the letters were written in Regional Strahl language, but what he saw was in bona fide Japanese.

She had not read or written anything in Japanese for months since she came to this world, but it was still her mother tongue; she would recognize him anywhere.

「Hm? Takahisa-sama, can you read this? 」

「Eh .. No, yes, I can ..」

Takahisa nodded as an affirmation.

Why did Haruto-san write his letter in Japanese? Arguably others taught him, but this level of eloquence …

From a quick glance he knew it was not something that a beginner who had only started learning a few months ago could write about.

The grammatical structure of Japanese resembles that of Strahl, but the sheer number of characters and vocabulary makes it more difficult.

Guessing from the sentence that caught her attention, the letter in Alice's hand was aimed at Aki.

It's a lie to say that he doesn't feel bad about it.

She was driven by temptation, eyes running back and forth over the first few sentences.

I can't do this! I shouldn't have read it!

Takahisa shook his head, trying to get it out of his mind.

It goes against his morality. Against all decency.

There might be no punishment for reading it, but he felt he could not invade the privacy of others.

But maybe because it had been so long since he had seen Japan, he could not withdraw.

Admission to the famous prep school at home is not just for show, the reading comprehension is a cut above the rest.

But the letter in front of him made his heart fall apart.

「Eh ..?」

Face paled.

Vision's narrowed.

He thinks he might be crazy.

「... Aki's sister? Previous life?"

Takahisa couldn't wipe the dumbfounded expression off his face if he tried.

In the letter addressed to Aki it is written that Haruto was originally Amakawa Haruto, Aki's older brother.

It means nothing to him.

He stared at the character to make sure he couldn't possibly misread it, but there were no mistakes.

「Can you ... let me see the letter for a moment?」

「Eh? Ah ... this. 」

Confused himself, Alice obediently handed him over.

How could Haruto, someone in this world, be Aki's older brother?

He can't understand.

Takahisa's heart was pounding, his brain was filled with adrenaline.

It was enough to defeat his guilt from reading someone else's letter harshly, and he stared at the paper intensely.

Alice was watching, but Kiara was just too late to catch the wind from Takahisa doing exactly the thing he said he should not do.

「Hm? Ah — T-Takahisa-sama! What are you doing?"

He started scolding her when he finally realized, but Takahisa wasn't listening. He scanned the letter again and again, his eyes widening in shock.

「Takahisa-sama, please stop immediately! You shouldn't have done this! 」

But he's too late.

Takahisa already understood everything that the letter wanted to convey.

Perhaps because he finally accepted it, the gloomy expression on his face worsened by the second.

「What ... What the fuck is this?」

Takahisa's gaze turned to the letter at the foot of Kiara — aimed at Miharu.

He only regained his senses when a piece of paper was already in his hand, consumed by his curiosity.

「You can't! Takahisa-sama! 」

Kiara tried to get ahead of him and keep the letter, but she moved first.

「Doing something like forcing the unseal of a noble letter by someone other than the recipient is a crime, you know? To say nothing read its contents .. 」

He can't go openly against her as the hero she is, but Kiara still hopes the inducement with reason will work.

Unfortunately, Takahisa doesn't care, as he is engrossed in reading.

The letter itself could not be saved anymore, nor was it tangled that badly.

「Please give me back the letter! This is a real crime! 」

Kiara whispered as hard as she could, restlessly glancing back and forth into the hall.

「Slow, senpai. He finished the first. 」

And maybe he just didn't understand the severity of their situation, but Alice's tone of voice was very carefree.

「Yeah, I don't know anymore. Can't tell you what will happen to us .. 」

☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

To Ayase Miharu.

Last night, I confessed to you selfishly and unilaterally, which might confuse you.

My deepest apologies for doing such a thing.

What happened next was unexpected, but this letter is so I can tell you what I couldn't do last night.

Maybe what you will read is not a very interesting story.

In fact, maybe it's not even something I should say, because it might bother Miharu-san to hear it.

But this is something I want to tell you, whatever it is.

That is why, although I am not happy with this method, I decided the letter would be the best.

If you can't keep reading, there's no need to force yourself.

It's all for my own satisfaction as is. If you won't read more, forget everything about me, live together with Takahisa-san and the others, and look for a way to return to Earth.

I'll do everything I can to help you, but if you don't want to get involved with me, I promise not to approach you.

The preface is a bit long, but from this point it will be my story, step by step.

You may have noticed it. I met Miharu-san in my previous life.

My name is Amakawa Haruto. I'm your childhood friend.

I believe I used to call you "Mii-chan" when we were kids, right?

I remember Miharu-san calling me "Haru-kun".

Twice in my life as Amakawa Haruto, I was with Miharu-san.

First until we were seven years old, before I moved. Then there was a brief moment right when we entered high school.

Although, only I saw you during the entrance ceremony.

Do you remember?

Miharu-san is by my side, and I am by your side. It felt like those days would last forever.

If you ask why, it's because I love Miharu-san. There's nothing I can do; I'm somersaulting for you.

But, it only lasted until elementary school.

I was forced to separate from Miharu-san and move to another city. I've lost all contact with you since.

It should have been about nine years ago for Miharu-san.

At the time, we made a promise to each other.

Usually something like the promise you made as a child will be something you give up when you grow up.

Not to mention the ridiculousness of trying to fulfill that promise. It can be the job of a fool.

Even so, the promise with Miharu-san is Amakawa Haruto's strongest support.

Because he loves you.

Because she wants to see Miharu-san smile again.

Because his memories with Miharu-san are an irreplaceable treasure to him.

I was a kid at the time. When I think about it, I don't understand how or reuniting with Miharu-san will be a distant future.

But, I thought I would be able to see you again as long as I tried my hardest.

Then came the feeling that Miharu-san who I expected would leave if not.

So I did my best in everything without exception, like an idiot, just in hopes of meeting Miharu-san again.

Growing up like that, perhaps as a reward for my efforts, I got the chance to enter the same high school as Miharu-san.

From a single glance, even now I can still feel my body shaking when I saw you that day.

But Amakawa Haruto at that moment had become a bit of a loser. Seeing Miharu-san being so friendly with an unknown man, I ran off hoping that I wouldn't have to face reality.

From the fact that maybe Miharu-san forgot about someone like me.

While I was hiding from you, you suddenly disappeared without a trace.

Although now I know that because you were summoned to this world.

I have never forgotten my regret since Miharu-san disappeared.

I can't bear to never tell you how I feel.

I took that regret to my grave. But somehow, I reincarnated here.

That's why I'm so surprised, but I'm so happy.

Being able to meet you again in this cruel world.

I kept thinking I would never see Miharu-san again.

I was really happy that day.

However, all I did was run away from Miharu-san like before.

I'm quite sorry, that's what I thought, but I'm scared.

Whether in this life or the last, I am a selfish and ugly coward.

Over time, constantly thinking, the short-lived desire I pursued was slowly shattered, but I was still living in those shattered dreams.

I was lost, and even now I still hesitate to keep writing, afraid that this dream will eventually fade away for good.

I — Amakawa Haruto is dead.

I myself still do not understand what happened to me, but the man named Amakawa Haruto died four years after the disappearance of Miharu-san from Japan.

Then the supposedly dead Amakawa Haruto was reborn as an orphan named Rio.

That's why, despite my circumstances making me call myself "Haruto", I wrote this letter not as Amakawa Haruto, but as Rio.

This body is different. Even with the memories and personality that make up Amakawa Haruto, I am an existence born from the fusion of two souls.

Strange, but it turned out to be very easy to accept when I was reincarnated in this world that “I Rio. ”

I am naturally aware that I am Amakawa Haruto, but I don't think I am currently him.

No matter how much of his memory and personality traits were left behind, the man named Amakawa Haruto became a very different person in the nine years after regaining his memories.

I now understand that if someone tries to hurt me or take my life, it is necessary to defend myself. I will not hesitate to fight back, and kill in return.

There were times where I completely ignored my ethics, and just thought about the risks and went back to decide my actions.

In fact, I have been injured and killed on the grounds that, if I were Japanese, people would think I was crazy.

And there was a man I took revenge on.

If I met him, I would probably kill him, even if it was unnecessary.

Because I hate that man from the bottom of my heart.

Such a self is so ugly that even I know I am broken somewhere, but I don't see myself changing.

I've accepted that part of myself, so the only way I can progress is forward.

That's why when I met Miharu-san, who hasn't changed at all, I was scared.

Maybe I from the previous life it was really Amakawa Haruto.

Maybe this personality, this memory, it wasn't a fake given to me by someone else.

But even if I was once Amakawa Haruto, I wonder if I am not a completely different person.

Is a different me qualified to love you?

Can a dead person love someone who is still alive?

The point is, I don't fully understand myself.

I really feel that I love Miharu-san.

But, it's because there was only a little time when I was Amakawa Haruto.

Everything Amakawa Haruto lost, except his love for you.

Somewhere in my heart, I wondered that maybe this desire just happened to be mixed with this memory.

I can't help it.

I'm afraid of being rejected by you when I tell you all this.

I was afraid that Miharu-san would hate me, knowing what kind of person I am. What I've become.

So in my fear, I chose to stay with Miharu-san and the others while hiding my identity.

I want to confess my feelings. Nothing will change if I don't.

I understand that .

Otherwise, one day you could disappear from my side again.

But even if I knew my time with you was only a temporary dream of my own carelessness, I would love to live under the same roof as all of you.

I was really scared when the dream would fall apart as soon as I confessed.

But in the end, I managed to say the words I always wanted. I don't want to make the same mistake I made last time.

Maybe you want to go home.

Maybe you already have someone you like.

I know it's selfish, but before Miharu-san disappears again, I don't want to be allowed to regret it before even starting.

I already know everything well.

I don't want to lose Miharu-san this time without being able to convey my feelings.

It's something I fear even more hated by Miharu-san.

That's why, if I'm going to say it, I want to say it from the beginning.

So I never felt that regret again, I will confess my love for Miharu-san once again.

The time I spent with you was short, but it made me aware.

My feelings for you are not false, nor influenced by anyone.

Not as Amakawa Haruto. Not as Rio. Nothing is important. I am me, and I am now in love with Miharu-san.

It took me a while to notice something so simple.

And thanks to Miharu-san I can.

So, let me say it again.

I love you, Miharu-san.

It is no longer possible for me to fulfill our promise since we were children, but will you stay with me after this?

Year 1000 of the Sacred Calendar, Spring Month, particular day.

Rio/Amakawa Haruto

P. S. When we can meet next, please look forward to my birthday present for you, Miharu-san.